The David Dwyer Papers, spanning the years 1924–2017 (bulk 1969–2003), document the life and literary career of poet, translator, and writer David Dwyer. The collection comprises a wide range of materials related to Dwyer’s published works, translations, personal correspondence, literary activities, and other creative endeavors.
The collection includes drafts, manuscripts, proofs, and correspondence for Dwyer’s major works, such as the poetry collections Ariana Olisvos: Her Last Works and Days (1976) and Other Men and Other Women (1988). It also contains numerous published and unpublished poems, prose works, and translations, notably his translation of Catherine Pozzi’s Agnes and other French literary texts. Annotated drafts and working notes offer insight into Dwyer’s creative process.
Correspondence in the collection reflects Dwyer’s relationships with literary figures, publishers, and friends, as well as his efforts to secure fellowships and publication opportunities. Other materials include awards and honors, such as the Juniper Prize and the Bush Artist Fellowship, as well as documents related to his teaching and residencies, such as his time as an artist-in-residence in Glen Falls, NY.
Personal materials in the collection document aspects of Dwyer’s life, including his educational background, travels, and health. Of note are records related to his diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer, culminating in his death in 2003. Memorials, tributes, and correspondence regarding his burial and posthumous recognition are also included.
Visual materials include photographs of Dwyer and his family, and ephemera such as membership cards and certificates. The collection also preserves copies of literary journals, anthologies, and yearbooks in which Dwyer’s works appeared.
Dwyer, David, 1946-2003